Weiss: "She's here!"

An excited Weiss Schnee squealed as she was running towards the courtyard of Beacon Academy, with a confused Ruby Rose close behind. After the match between Teams SSSN and NDGO concluded, with the team of all boys winning, Weiss had spotted an Atlesian Airship with the Schnee logo flying overhead with a couple of banners attached to its wing-like binders. So, in a fit of excitement, she was going to meet the occupant of that ship and Ruby, being her self-proclaimed best friend, wanted to know what she was getting excited about.

Ruby: "Weiss, what is the big deal!? Who is it!? Who is she!?"

Weiss: "Winter!"

Ruby: "Huh?" She looked at the landed ship only to see a woman who looked like an adult version of Weiss step out of it. Seeing the resemblance, Ruby instantly caught onto what was happening and was completely blown away. "Wait... your sister?"

Ace: "Huh... Well, that's unexpected..." Ruby turned around and spotted her elder cousin, Ace walking towards her with the black-haired girl he met, Nea following behind him closely with a cone of Neapolitan Ice-Cream in her hand.

Ruby: "Ace! Where have you been!?"

Ace: "Sorry for being late, Rubes. I was occupied with a certain someone who I had to pry away from the Ice-Cream stands..." He deadpanned and looked towards Nea who was casually licking the Neapolitan Ice-Cream in her hands. She then looked back at him before sticking her tongue out at him playfully. He rolled his eyes before looking forwards. Before Ruby could even ask, Weiss took off again towards her sister.

Weiss: "Winter!" Ruby ran after her while Ace watched with Nea going back to focus on her Ice-Cream. The elder sister, Winter Schnee turned around, two Atlesian Knights standing to attention by her sides as she watched Weiss and Ruby approach her.

(Winter Schnee)

Weiss: "Winter! Winter! I'm so happy to see you! Oh... U-Um... Your presence honors us." She tried acting formally but seemed to be failing. Winter slowly walked up to us, while looking at her surroundings.

Winter: "Beacon... It's been a long time. The air feels... different."

Ruby: "I mean, it is fall... so eh, it's probably colder." Weiss immediately punched the argent-eyed girl's shoulder, causing her to collapse to the ground, while her happy smile remained on her face.

Weiss: "So, what are you doing here?"

Winter: "Classified."

Weiss: "Oh right, well how long are you staying?"

Winter: "Classified."

Weiss: "...Of course." There was an awkward silence. Ruby was practically dying from this as she tried to make some form of comment.

Ruby: "Well, this is nice... I think." Then Weiss began again, her smile growing even more.

Weiss: "Oh you're going to love it here! I know you travel a lot, but so much of Beacon is different from Atlas, Vale too! The government and school are completely separate! Can you believe it!? I-"

Winter: "I'm more than familiar with how this Kingdom handles its bureaucracy. But that is not why I came."

Weiss: "Right! I'm sorry."

Winter: "Nor did I come here to watch my own blood fail so miserably in battle. But it appears I have no choice in the matter." Weiss was taken aback and disheartened.

Weiss: "But, we won..."

Winter: "Only a novice would refer to that as a victory. I counted at least three strikes missed."

Ace: "Sheesh... talk about uptight..." He whispered to himself and shook his head as Weiss looked at her saddened before Winter whispered to the Atlesian Knights behind her.

Winter: "Leave us." They backed away as Winter sighed and looked at her sister. "How have you been?"

Weiss: "Oh splendid! Thank you for asking. I'm actually in the top ranking of our sparring class-" Suddenly Winter smacked Weiss in the back of her head, causing me to wince as a large bump popped out of her head.

Winter: "Silence you boob! I don't recall asking about your ranking, I asked how you've been. Are you eating properly? Have you taken up any hobbies? Are you making new friends?"

Weiss: "Well, there's Ruby." She smiled, as she gestured to Ruby who snorted and snickered.

Ruby: "Boob." She held in her laughter as she pushed the bump back into the heiress' head, causing her to wince in pain. Winter then looked silently towards the young leader.

Winter: "I see... So, this is the leader you wrote of. How appropriately... underwhelming."

Ruby: "Uhm... Thank you...?"

Winter: "Greeting Ruby Rose. I wish to thank you for taking an interest in my sister."

Ruby: "Oh, yes, of course! The honor is in my court...!" She ended up stumbling on her words as she looked away.

Winter: "I have business with the general and your headmaster. But seeing as we're early, why don't you take me to your quarters?" she said as she began walking off.

Weiss: "Really!?"

Winter: "Yes, I wish to inspect them and make sure they're up to my... personal standards."

Weiss: "Of course. But just so you're aware, the bunk beds only look unstable."

Winter: "Bunk... Beds...?" She glanced at her younger sister, an eyebrow raised in confusion.

Ruby: *in the distance* "I'll catch up–wait, uh... I mean... we will reconvene with you both at a later... juncture! At a juncture... yeah..." She fell silent before hearing a couple of chuckles coming from Ace as he approached her.

Ace: "You really need to work on your formal skills, Rubes."

Ruby: "S-Shut up!"

>Chapter 23: Brawl in the Family<

In the courtyard of Beacon, Weiss and her elder sister, Winter continued down the path towards the dorms. However, a man approached them. With a head of messy black hair, a short red half cape and slightly dazed yet angered red eyes, he continued to get closer, slightly stumbling and swaying from side to side. Getting behind two Atlesian Knights, he ripped their heads off grabbing the attention of the two Schnees by throwing one of the heads towards them.

Drunk: "Hey!" They turned around to address him. "Yeah... I'm talking to you, Ice Queen." As one of the knights aimed at him, Winter held her hand out.

Winter: "Halt!" She commanded, with her narrowing her eyes in anger. Weiss began to stomp up to him, angered and offended.

Weiss: "Excuse me! Do you have any idea who you're talking to!?" The man just put his hand on her head.

Drunk: "Shhh, not you." He then pushed Weiss out of the way and approached Winter as a red-eyed raven flew past. "You. Saw that gaudy ship of yours in town, I guess you're here too."

Winter: "I'm standing right before you." The man squinted his eyes at her before smiling.

Drunk: "So it would seem."

Winter: "You realize you just destroyed Atlas Military property." He looked around at the destroyed knights before he backed away slightly in an obvious display of Sarcasm.

Drunk: *sarcastically* "Oh... oh I'm sorry. See, I mistook this for some sort of... sentient garbage."

Winter: "I don't have time for your immature games, Qrow."

(Qrow Branwen)

Weiss: "Wait, you two know each other?"

Qrow: "Geez, you Atlas Specialists think you're so special, don't you?"

Winter: "It's in the title."

Qrow: "Well, you know what you really are. A bunch of sellouts, just like your boss."

Winter: "I'm not sure what you think you're implying but I've heard enough."

Qrow: "Oh I heard too. I heard ol' Ironwood's finally turned his back on Ozpin."

Weiss: "Ozpin?"

Winter: "Weiss, it's time for you to go."

Weiss: "What?"

Qrow: "Listen to big sister Weiss. She'll protect you; just like Atlas is going to protect all of us, huh?" He slightly stumbled back on his feet as Winter's eyes burned with anger.

Winter: "If you won't hold your tongue... then I will gladly remove it for you!" Unsheathing her rapier, she pointed it at the drunkard who only smirked and slicked his hair back.

Qrow: "Alright then, come take it."

Without any warning, Winter immediately rushed up to the raven-haired male, making a couple of thrusts and slices to his head but he simply dodged them while holding that smug grin. After bowing to dodge another horizontal sweep, Winter slashed downwards, only for her blade to encounter a metal object attached to the male's lower back. Qrow pressed the button on the handle of his weapon for a blade thick and large blade to pop out; his weapon was called Harbinger. Winter backed up as Qrow swung his sword around and pointed it at her, his teeth glinting as he smiled brightly while she got into a fencing stance. With a couple of light taps of their blades, Qrow made the first move, swinging his blade horizontally at Winter multiple times as she back flipped out of the way. Then the two began to clash their blades as a bigger crowd formed around them. Ruby, Ace and Nea walked up to Weiss.

Ruby: "What's going on?"

Weiss: "Some crazy guy just started attacking my sister!"

Ace: "Huh..." He looked back towards the fight, his eyes narrowing as he instantly recognized the man. "Oh shit, that's..."

Ruby: "That is OUR UNCLE!!!"

Weiss: "WHAT!?"

Ace: "Yep." He crossed his arms with a smirk. "Meet the coolest uncle in the world."

Ruby: "KICK HER BUTT UNCLE QROW!!!"

Weiss: "U-Uh... Teach him respect, Winter!"

Ace: "Haha, sorry Weiss. There's no way she's winning this one."

Weiss: "Wanna bet!?"

Ace: "5 Lien. I got Qrow, you got Winter?" He held his hand out to her, to which she instantly grabbed and shook it.

Weiss: "Deal!" Nea, who was behind Ace, shook her head with a quiet snicker from her becoming amused from Ace's teasing of the Heiress.

As the two continued to clash, Mercury was seen in the crowd. He seemed slightly panicked and began to speed walk away. Qrow and Winter bounced around the little space that had been created for them by the surrounding students, broad sword parrying rapier. They were moving fast, almost too fast for the students there to see. Nea was surprised by this display of sheer skill, but then her eyes were directed to the sky as she could see something fast approaching. As she squinted her eyes, she pulled on Ace's sleeve, getting his attention.

Ace: "What is it?" She simply pointed upwards. He too ended up looking up and recognized that blue and white color scheme with the green trail behind. "Oh. Shit's about to get real..."

Ruby: "Huh? What do you mean?" She asked as both her and Weiss looked back at him, wondering what he meant by that.

Akira: "He means, things are about to either get better or worse." He said, as the two girls looked towards him, watching the male approach them before he stood next to Weiss and crossed his arms. "Most likely it will be the latter..."

There was a loud clash of metal, followed by the ground slightly trembling. They all looked back to the fight, seeing that it had come to a halt. Surprised expressions were present on Qrow and Winter's faces as someone had landed between them, parrying their blades with two of his own.

Weiss: "Wait, is that...!?" She exclaimed as Ace and Akira nodded while Ruby gasped, and Nea was interested. That classic white and blue color scheme with the two large physical blades clashing against that of Qrow's Harbinger and Winter's sword.

Gundam Exia is here.

Winter: "The Gundam Exia!? But where...!?"

Qrow: "Oh...? That kid again..." There was a brief silence as Exia pushed the two back, with the two adults stumbling backwards. Exia stood up straight, being taller than both as it gripped the Alpha GN Sword in its right hand and the GN Long Blade in its left. Its green eyes glowed dimly before Akito's voice sounded from the mechanized suit of armor.

Akito (Exia): *sigh* "You know, I've had a really bad day... With all these bad feelings boiling up inside of me and my own Sister trying to convince me to run away... Now this... Fighting in the middle of the Beacon Courtyard and risking students' lives? Right now, I'm done trying to talk it out... How about this..." He pointed Alpha in GN Sword form and his GN Long Blade at both Qrow and Winter. "How about I beat you BOTH into the ground and end this! Whatcha say, guys!?" He yelled with growing anger and annoyance, Exia's eyes glowing brightly in response. Qrow smirked in response.

Qrow: "Oh? Looks like the kid wants to play." He said, while Winter decided to take a more vocal and commanding approach.

Winter: "Meister of Gundam Exia, you are currently in possession of stolen Atlesian technology. Surrender and exit the Mobile Suit, now!" She commended, pointing her blade towards the 7ft tall, mechanized suit of armor. Slowly, Exia's head unit turned to look at her, its eyes glowing and letting out that signature metallic noise.

Akito (Exia): "I do not take orders from you, Schnee. Know your place."

Winter: "What?" She gritted her teeth but gasped as the Exia blasted towards her at blinding speeds.

The elder Schnee only had enough time to raise her weapon to block the incoming sword strike from the GN Long Blade. However, she was up against a Gundam, a suit of armor made for eradicating war and defending kingdoms. She was being pushed back with little to no effort as the Gundam's sheer strength overpowered her own. Before she could even do anything, Akito pushed her back and kicked her away, the elder Schnee stabbing her blade into the ground. Instantly, he turned around as he raised the GN Sword, parrying a strike from a grinning Qrow.

Qrow: "Hey, not bad kid! Hah, this'll be fun!"

Winter: "This is no laughing matter, you drunk!"

Qrow: "Pfft. Buzz kill." He rolled his eyes.

Winter growled and stood up as she dashed towards the two males. In a blink of an eye, the battle resumed, this time being a bit more intense due to the added party, that was Akito. Qrow had managed to shake off the Gundam Meister and dash towards Winter, who gritted her teeth as a Glyph formed beneath her. She leaped away just as the man slammed the ground with his Harbinger, causing a massive crater that sent debris flying everywhere. Akito saw this and growled, converting Alpha into its GN Rifle form as he blasted the debris into dust, preventing the surrounding students from getting hurt. He then looked back towards Qrow and Winter, seeing a lamppost get knocked over as he growled and dashed towards it, firing more shots at them. The Huntsman and Huntress both leaped away from each other as the beams flew past them. Before any of them could fully prepare, Akito slammed down between them, swinging his Alpha in GN Sword form and GN Long Blade at the two as they entered an intense three-way blade battle.

Immediately after, Qrow made a horizontal slash towards Akito, who leaped over it before landing a kick to the man's face, causing him to slide back. Afterwards, he quickly sheathed the GN Long Blade to Exia's right hip and reached to the back skirting armor where took a GN Beam Dagger and launched it towards Winter, who leaped from the pillar stump, causing for the beam weapon to embed itself into the stump. He looked up, seeing her land on a railing. She however, quickly leaped up higher to dodge a spread of bullets from Qrow's Harbinger, its blade rotated downwards to reveal dual gun barrels that had smoke rising.

Qrow: "Hey, kid!" Exia's head unit slightly turned towards the older male as Akito glanced over to him. "I'd love to do battle with you one-on-one. But, I think we have a more common opponent. Take your anger out on her before we get down to business." He bargained. Akito was silent before he took a deep breath and sighed.

Akito (Exia): "Fine. Don't get in the way." He said as Exia's GN Drive released its green particles as Akito blasted up to Winter, choosing to continue the fight in close range. Qrow scoffed from his comment and smirked as he began running.

Qrow: "Heh. That's cute coming from you."

Winter ran up the side of the wall and began running alongside the arc as the Gundam Exia flew up to her, Akito clashing his blade with hers while Qrow ran across the ground, firing at Winter. With Akito reaching underneath his right arm to Exia's Right shoulder armor, where a GN Beam Saber handle was kept, he pulled on it, the handle emitting a pink beam blade as he began to speed up his attacks, forcing Winter to back off but he just rushed towards Winter, not giving her a chance to fully recover. Meanwhile, Qrow hopped up onto another arc-way to see white smoke engulf the two of them. He converted his weapon back to sword mode as he narrowed his eyes at the smoke.

Suddenly, Winter and Akito flew out of it, sparks bouncing off their blades as they traded slashes. In the midst of it all, Winter's main sword handle opened as a second, thinner sword flew out into her off-hand. Qrow grinned at the spectacle and got ready before he launched himself up to them. Winter noticed as Akito backed away before both he and Qrow crashed down on Winter, pushing them all back into the ground creating a crater. They immediately got up and began slashing at high speeds.

It ended however with Winter pushing back Qrow, forcing him to stab the ground with his sword to slow himself down. Winter quickly turned around, seeing the Gundam Exia diving towards her with it slashing down on her with the GN Beam Saber in its left hand. Winter gritted her teeth, narrowing her eyes before she managed to finally overpower the Gundam and push Akito away before slashing at his chest, scratching the chest armor of the Gundam itself. Akito slid back, with small claws popping out of the bottom of Exia's feet as he slid back, stabbing the Beam Saber into the ground to slow himself.

He kneeled next to Qrow, slowly standing up as the wolf gritted his teeth under his helmet. Akito and Qrow then watched as Winter stabbed her larger blade into the ground as a large Glyph formed underneath her and multiple white Nevermore Chicks were summoned and flew towards the two males. They all began to swarm them as she smirked but not before Qrow swung Harbinger upwards, sending an Aura Arc towards Winter that both ended the swarm and forced her to barely dodge. Winter glared daggers at the two of them before a large Glyph then appeared behind her as she was looking ready for a final strike. Qrow responded by holding down the trigger of Harbinger, causing its blade to suddenly extend and begin curving upwards.

Akito too got into a finishing stance, storing the Beam Saber back on the back of Exia's right shoulder armor before he pointed Alpha's blade towards Winter.

Akito (Exia): "Over-Boost Mode!" He yelled, with the restraints on the GN Drive on the back of Exia separating from the Drive itself, the power from Exia starting to rise significantly.

Both parties were getting ready to strike, but Qrow noticed something and smirked. He elbowed Akito, who glanced at him but quickly noticed. The wolf sighed as he lowered his weapon as Exia deactivated the Over-Boost mode. Qrow just after, collapsed Harbinger and holstered it back on his waist. Winter was confused but Qrow's taunt towards her, enraged her. She blasted herself towards the two, but just before she came into contact, a certain voice called out.

Ironwood: "SCHNEE!!!" Winter gasped before she sighed and lowered her weapon before turning around, revealing Ironwood and Penny standing behind her. She quickly faced them and stood to attention.

Winter: "General Ironwood, sir!"

Ironwood: "What on Earth do you think you're doing?"

Winter: "Qrow started the altercation first! And then, this Meister of Exia intervened!"

Qrow: "That's actually not true. She attacked first and the kid in the Gundam was just doing his job and helping to keep the students around safe." He chimed in, his hands behind his head. Akito looked at him but the man just gave a cheeky smirk. Winter however was flabbergasted as Ironwood then looked at her.

Ironwood: "Is that true?" He asked. Winter however couldn't fully answer. He then looked at the Exia. "As for you Akito, while you had good intentions, it should have been in your best interest to stay out of it." He spoke. Akito sighed as Gundam Exia glowed and vanished, freeing the wolf Faunus.

Akito: "Got it. I just needed to let off a bit of steam." He said to which Ironwood just hummed. Winter was surprised by his appearance.

Ironwood: "And Winter, I have assigned him as Exia's Gundam Meister. There is no need to be defensive around him." She said as the elder Schnee looked at the general in surprise before she sighed.

Winter: "Yes sir." Ironwood then approached Qrow.

Ironwood: "And you..." Qrow looked at him before innocently pointing at himself as Akito backed away.

Ironwood: "What are you doing here?"

Qrow: "I could be asking you the same thing."

Ironwood: "I-" Cutting him off, was Ozpin who had arrived with Glynda.

Ozpin: "Now, now everyone. There's a sanctioned fight happening just around the corner at the Colosseum that I can assure you, had better seats... and popcorn."

Glynda: "Break it up everyone! We will take care of this mess." She said with a glare towards them. As the students began to clear away, Ironwood turned away and began walking towards the tower.

Ironwood: "Let's go." He said as Winter began to walk off. Ruby, Weiss, Ace and Akira walked up to Akito who had his arms crossed. The blue eyed male noticed Penny looking at him as his eyes widened in surprise. However, before he could even address it...

Penny: "Sal... U..."

Akira: "Ah fuck..."

Penny: "...TATIONS!!!" Akira was tackled to the ground by the ginger-haired girl, with her snuggling into him with a big, happy grin on her face. "You're here, Akira!!"

Akira: "O-Ow... Penny... Can't breathe..." He gasped out in pain. The others looked at the two, with Akito and Weiss looking sorry for the male having to deal with the female's bone-breaking embraces while Ruby was just surprised. But then she turned her attention to her uncle as a big grin formed on her face.

Ruby: "UNCLE QROOOOWWW!!!" She latched onto his arm as he held it up. "Hi! It's so good to see you! Did you miss me!? DID YOU MISS ME!?"

Qrow: "Nope." He smirked as he ruffled her hair before he lowered his arm, causing the argent eyed girl to slide off with a thud.

Ruby: "Ouch!"

Ace: "Yo, Uncle Birb!" Qrow looked past his niece, seeing Ace approach with a smirk on his face.

Qrow: "Ha, you know how much I hate that nickname! Get over here, kid." He said while laughing as he hugged the young man from the side. "How ya doing? Haven treating you nicely? Found a girlfriend yet?"

Ace: "You ain't talking, 'Mr. Staying Single'." He rolled his eyes and laughed. "But yeah, Haven's been decent at least. Though, being here definitely made my life more lively. Special thanks to the cutest little sister in the world." He said, wrapping an arm around Ruby, who blushed in flattery.

Ruby: "Oh staaapp it..." She lightly hit his side and giggled as she leaned into his embrace. Qrow laughed at their banter, enjoying seeing his niece and nephew interaction, but before anything else could be said, Ozpin called out to him.

Ozpin: "A word please. You too, Mr. Zara." He said as Glynda was using her Telekinetic Semblance to repair all the damages to the courtyard caused by the battle. Akito walked up past Qrow and Ruby.

Akito: "Welp, tell Blake and Setsu I'm in Ozpin's office, Rubes."

Ruby: "Got it!" She gave a thumbs up as Qrow leaned towards his niece and nephew.

Qrow: "I think I'm in trouble."

Ruby: "Well you did tear up our courtyard."

Ace: "And started a fight in said courtyard,"

Qrow: "Yeah, I did. *fist bumps the two* Catch ya later kids." He said as he walked off. Weiss walked up to them and crossed her arms.

Weiss: "Suddenly your recklessness makes sense." She said specifically to Ruby with a slightly annoyed expression. Ruby just smirked and elbowed her playfully.

Ruby: "You're just mad he whooped butt."

Weiss: "That was a draw at best!"

Ace: "Pay up, Weiss~" He grinned, holding out his hand to her. The Schnee grumbled before she caved and handed him the lien that was up for the bet. The blue-haired male grinned and celebrated with a fist pump... only for a certain Nea to swipe the lien out of his hands. He gasped slightly and quickly looked at her. "H-Hey! What the hell!?"

Nea taunted him as she flaunted the stolen lien in her hand at him while shaking her hips. She then blew a kiss to him with a wink before she skipped away.

Ace: "Oh so that's how it is!? I'll get you!" He yelled as he dashed after her, while Nea let out a squeal and quickly began running away. Ruby and Weiss watched, the latter leaning over to her partner.

Weiss: "I think your cousin's found himself a girlfriend."

Ruby: "Whaaat?? Pfft. Nah! What makes you say that?" Weiss just stared at her with a deadpan before facepalming with a deep and exasperated sigh but then the two girls heard the groaning from Akira as they both turned to look at him and saw that he was still being crushed to death by Penny.

Weiss: "So... Are we going to help him?"

Akira: "P-Please!?"

Maya: "He'll be fine." The two girls looked behind to see the rest of Team MYLC approaching. While Maya had her hands on her hips and walked up to the downed Akira, Lapis and Saria both sweat dropped. "This is his punishment for sneaking off without telling me again! You can keep him for now, Penny."

The ginger-haired girl smiled brightly at the blonde as she stood up with a big grin and held onto Akira's arm.

Penny: "Really!? Thank you Maya! C'mon, Akira!" She exclaimed and began to march off while dragging the male along. Akira however, stared at his leader, his eyes as wide as dinner plates.

Akira: "You fucker! You betrayed me!!!" he said, to which Maya simply looked away with a 'hmph'. Quickly, Akira looked to his other teammates and to Weiss and Ruby for help but Maya instantly sent a glare towards them, causing them all to collectively sweat drop.

Lapis: "Uhh... Yeah... If we know anything about our leader..."

Saria: "...It's that you never try to change her mind if she's angry..."

Weiss: "Uh... I'm uh... gonna wait for my sister! Yeah!" She said as she quickly began to walk away.

Ruby: "U-Uh. I need to go find Yang and Blake!" She quickly disappeared with her Petal Burst. Akira stared in complete disbelief before...

Akira: "YOU TRAITORS!!!"

_________________________________________

Next chapter: His Confliction.

Akito: "It's all just... eating away with me..." He said with a deep sigh but soon felt the soft hand of Blake rest on his as she leaned towards him.

Blake: "Hey." He looked into her beautiful amber eyes. "You've never let something like this get to you before. I know it's difficult... but out of the two of us, you've been the first to always push on no matter what. That's one of the many reasons why I love you so much, Akito."